184 
IIOODED MERGANSER. 
farther north, where these are wanting, the ground 
is resorted to.* 
In form and colouring the Hooded Merganser 
resembles the smew nearer than the other species. 
The plumage of the head is very ample, and is capable 
of being converted at will into a flat rounded crest ; 
this, with the neck, is blackish green, and behind 
the eye there is a large triangular spot of pure 
white bordered exteriorly with black, appearing very 
conspicuous when the crest is displayed ; the breast 
and under parts are white, two crescent-formed bars 
of black crossing the sides of the former ; flanks un- 
dulated with yellowish brown and black ; the wing 
is crossed by a broad bar of white, divided by a 
narrow band of black at the base of the secondaries. 
The specimen figured by Mr. Selby had the chin 
greyish white, speckled with pale brocoli-brown; 
crown of the head inclining to liver-brown; the 
occipital crest, large and semicircular, passing into 
pale reddish brown. Face, cheeks, and neck, pale 
brocoli-brown or mouse-colour ; breast and sides of 
the lower part of the neck brocoli-brown, deeply 
margined with pale grey ; upper parts of the body 
brownish black, the feathers upon the mantle and 
scapulars being margined with obscure greyish 
brown ; outer edges of the exterior webs of the 
secondaries white, forming a small speculum in the 
midst of the wing ; under plumage white; the sides 
and flanks brocoli-brown with paler margins. Tail 
of fourteen feathers, deep clove-brown ; legs and 
feet brown, tinged with red. + 
* Audubon. t Selby. 
